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Bounce house for kids, coffee lounge for grownups; rare reads; clock repair

 
Published Feb. 28, 2014

TAMPA — An indoor bounce house for the kids and a coffee lounge for the grownups could bring happy faces to South Tampa parents.

"My wife, Jenn, and I grew tired of driving to Westchase and Brandon to similar facilities with our two children," said Mike Addabbo, who is turning a 10,500 square-foot, former wrestling gym into PlayGrounds of Tampa on S Dale Mabry Highway, just north of Gandy Boulevard.

Kids up to age 14 will enjoy jump inflatables, slides, obstacle courses, a rock wall and Nerf activities. Children under 3 have a separate play area with soft-play games.

Admission is $11.95 for two hours, and $6.95 for a sibling. Frequent visitor packages are also available.

Meanwhile, mom and dad, grandparents and caregivers can relax with a latte, cappuccino and Buddy Brew coffees, free Wi-Fi and stacks of magazines. All within sight of the kids.

Don't forget your kids' socks, but if you do, they will be sold in a concession stand along with drinks and snacks and Nature's Table wraps and salads.

PlayGrounds can be rented for private parties, with a consultant and trained staff to help engage the children. Addabbo anticipates an early March opening. Inflatables can also be rented for off-site events.

PlayGrounds of Tampa, 4535 S Dale Mabry Highway; will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekends will open for early morning play and birthday parties. Visit playgrounds oftampa.com or call (813) 835-7529.

Boyd still ticking

Boyd Clocks marks 70 years of restoration and repair work, and for the first time, not in Hyde Park.

David Boyd Sr., who started in his home workshop in 1944, most recently worked in a shop behind a pizza restaurant. That building was sold a few months ago, and Boyd, 84, moved into a small storefront on Henderson Boulevard, a mere 100 feet from his front door. Now the polio survivor gets to work via his electric wheelchair.

The Boyd family is noted for restoration work on two Tampa icons: chiming clock Hortense on top of City Hall and El Reloj which has kept time over the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Ybor City for 100 years.

Boyd Clocks, 3436 Henderson Blvd., is open by appointment only. David Boyd Jr. continues to work from 4343 W Kennedy Blvd. Call (813) 368-7862.

Rare reads to be found

Jean and Harry Richardson first shared their love for literature in 1997 as traveling booksellers, and since then have owned book stores in Virginia, Massachusetts and Georgia military communities, as well as Korea and Turkey. In February, the couple opened Best Books & Rich Treasures in Ballast Point, three miles from MacDill Air Force Base.

"We sell used and rare books, some very rare, like a first edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula," said Harry, who retired from the U.S. Army after almost 23 years.

Jean is a real estate agent with a graduate degree in English lit. When her book collection vastly outgrew their shelf space, the couple went into business, specializing in African American and genealogy subjects.

The certified antiquarian dealers also maintain "a big presence" on the Internet, adds Harry, and worldwide shipping is available.

Best Books & Rich Treasures, 5609 Interbay Blvd., is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment. Visit bestbooksrichtreasures.com or call (813) 944-2112.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Email ascherzer@tampabay.com or call (813) 226-3332.